Ice-can filler



LM ZGM Mar, 6, i923! G. B. BRIGHT ICE CAN FILLER Filed. Jan. 2, 1920 3sheets-sheet l Mar. 6, 1923.

G. B. BRIGHT ICE CAN FILLER 5 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Jan. 2, 1920 Gewye Z.firyaf Mar. 6, 1923. 1,447,614

G. B. BRIGHT ICE CAN FIYKJA Filed Jan. 2, 1920 3 sheets-sheet 5 at i Vvwewtoz (Asa/ye .5. BryA lcwm I Patente an. 5, I923.

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GEORGE IB. BRIGHT, DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

ICE-CAN FILLER.

Application filed January 2, 1920. Serial No. 348,886.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE B. BRIGHT, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State ofMichigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ice-CanFillers, of which the following is a specification, reference being hadtherein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to the manufacture of artificial ice and hasparticular reference to the means employed for filling the cans in whichthe individual ice cakes are frozen. In the present state of the art icecans are filled with water for freezing in various ways. By one methodthe empty cans are first placed in proper position in the brine and thewater is then conveyed thereto through a hose. In another method thewater for each individual can is drawn from a filling can which containsa measured quantity and as a further development of this method severalof the individual ice cans are simultaneously filled from a filler tankdivided in compartments. It is, however, difiicult to form a multiplecompartment filler tank so as to contain an exactly measured quantity ofwater in each compartment and particularly it is difficult to correspondingly vary the capacity of all of the compartments. I have, therefore,devised a simple construction in which a multiple filler tank is formedeither from a series of individual tanks so coupled to each other as tobe successively filled'from a single source of supply or with a seriesof compartments therein in inter communication. I have further providedsimple means for accurately adjusting capacity of each of the individualtanks or compartments, and further, have devised a means forsimultaneously controlling the discharge therefrom.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the filler; Figure 2 isa plan view thereof;

Figure 3 is a sectional end elevation partially broken away;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic plan view, and Figure 5 an elevation showingthe filler in relation to the dump and the brine tank.

A, A, etc., are either individual tanks of rectangular form andpredetermined capacity or are compartments formed in an obvious mannerby partitions in a single container. B are outlet conduits connectedwith the bottoms of said. tanks or compartments, and C are controllingvalves or closures for said outlets. D are apertures in the oppositesides of the tank in alignment with each other.

The multiple or gang filler is formed by connecting a series of thetanks A, A, etc., said tanks being arranged side by side and coupled bynipples E passing through the aperture D and secured by lock nuts F. Thenipple E at one end of the series is connected with a water supplyconduit G, which is controlled by a valve H. This connection will supplywater first to the tank to which it is directly connected andsuccessively to the tanks of the series through the nipple connectionstherebetween. The end tank of the series is connected with an overflowconduit I, which permits the escape of any surplus water after all ofthe tanks of the series have been filled to a predetermined height. Inorder to adjust the level within the tanks to alter the quantity, thenipples E have preferably connected thereto the elbow fittings J and theupwardly directed extension conduits K. These extension conduits areexchangeable and thus by substituting a longer or shorter one, theoverflow level is altered. Also smaller variations may be produced byturning the elbows to different angles. The tanks may be furthermechanically connected to each other by reinforcing bars L extendinglongitudinally of the series and bolted or riveted to the individualtanks. To automatically control the filling of the tanks a floatactuated mechanism is provided for operating the valve H. This, asshown, consists in a float M located in the last tank of the series andguided for vertical movement therein by a suitable guide frame N. Thefloat is connected by a cable or flexible connection 0 passing overshives P to the valve H and the arrangement is such thatwhen the levelin this tank rises to a predetermined height, the float will be liftedand by relieving tension on the cable 0, permits the tripping of aweight Q which thus automatically closes the valve. The weight holds thevalve closed until the mechanism is reset manually for refilling thetanks.

For simultaneously controlling the d1scharge from all of the individualtanks the valves C have connected thereto the cables R which extendupward and are attached to a rock shaft S extending over the entireseries. This shaft is journaled to suitable bearings T, bolted orotherwise secured to the tanks, and at one end of the shaft is a leverarm U by means of which the shaft may be rocked. Thus, whenever a seriesof cans are to be filled, they are conveyed into registration with therespective discharge conduits B after which the operator by moving thelever U will simultaneously lift all ofthe valves G and permit thedischarge of the contents of each of the tanks into the registered cans.

One great advantage of my construction is that the filler may be locatedadjacent to the dump and in operation the cans, as soon as relieved fromthe ice cakes, may be refilled and then replaced in the brine tank. Thisdoes away with the necessity of transporting the water to the variouslocations of the cans when in the brine tank and in every way expeditesthe operation.

As shown in I igures i and 5, the tanks A, etc.,- of thefiller aresupported in an elevated position adjacent to the tilting dump Y, sothat the empty cans, while still in the dump, can be filled. The cliptank W is also adjacent to the dump, so that in operation the cans arefirst dipped in the hot water; the

freed ice cakes are then placed in the dump and the latter tilted todischarge the cakes and are then returned to vertical position andrefilled. This avoids all necessity of conveying the water and permitsof filling without any further transportation of the cans than thatrequired for the discharge of the frozen cakes and the return to thebrine tank.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In ice freezing apparatus a gang or multiple filler for ice cans,comprising a series of individual tanks having fiat sides adjacent toeach other, each tank being provided with an outlet conduit, a valve ineach outlet conduit, means for actuating said valves simultaneously tocontrol the discharge of liquid from each tank, nipples passing throughaligned apertures in the sides of the tanks constituting an overflowconnection from one to another, lock nuts engaging said nipples formechanically connecting the tanks and forming a water seal, a watersupply tothe end tank of the series, and an overflow connection on theopposite end tank.

2. In ice freezing apparatus a gang or multiple filler for ice cans,comprising a series of individual tanks arranged adjacent to each other,each tank being provided with a valve-controlled discharge, an overflowconnection between the adjacent walls of said tanks, and means foradjusting the height or the-inlet to said overflow connection.

3. In ice freezing apparatus a gang or nultiple filler for ice cans,comprising a series or individual tanks arranged adjacent to each other,each tank being provided with a valve-controlled discharge, an overflowconnection passing through the walls of adjacent tanks, and a riser onthe inlet side of said overflow connection adjustable in height tocontrol the level.

4. In ice freezing apparatus a gang or multiple filler for ice cans,comprising a series of individual tanks arranged adjacent to each other,each tank being provided with a valvecontrolled discharge, a valvecontrolled water supply connection for the end tank of the series,overflow connections between adjacent tanks, an overflow for the tank atthe opposite end of the series, and means controlled by the level in thelatter tank for opening and closing the valve or" the water supply.

In ice freezing apparatus a gang or multiple filler for ice cans,comprising a series of adjacent individual tanks, means for fillingsaidtanks to corresponding levels, a discharge connection to the bottomof each tank. valves controlling said discharge connection, a rock shaftextending over the se ries of tanks, connections between said rock shaftand the individual valves for the discharge connections, and meansfor'rocking said shaft to simultaneously open all of said valves. 7

6. A gang or multiple filler for ice cans, comprising a series ofindividual tanks arranged adjacent to each other, an inlet conduitconnected to the tank at one end of the series, an overflow pipeconnected to the tank at the opposite end of the series, nipplesconnecting each of said tanks, oscillatory elbow fittings in said.nipples, and exchangeable upwardly directed extension conduits carriedby said elbows. V

7. A gang or multiple filler for ice cans, comprising a series ofindividual tanks arranged adjacent to each other, an adjustable overflowconnection betweensaid tanks, and means for adjusting the height of theinlet to said overflow connection. 7

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

GEORGE -B. BRIGHT.

